After three years of hard work, The Gene and Jerry Jones Family North Texas Youth Education Town (YET) opened Monday morning in Arlington, Texas.

Under the operation of The Salvation Army, the facility is intended to provide a safe haven for children to improve their skills to live life to the best of their abilities. YET centers offer programs to enhance a child’s physical, social, psychological and spiritual well-being. Since Super Bowl XXXVII in 1993, the National Football League has donated $1 million to establish Youth Education Centers in every city a Super Bowl is hosted. Arlington held the big game in 2011 and is recognized with the gift of this new center. Funds were also contributed to this project by The Gene and Jerry Jones Family Arlington Youth Foundation and the Super Bowl XLV Host Committee.

The ceremony included Cowboys owner and general manager, Jerry Jones and his family, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, Arlington mayor Robert Cluck as well as The Salvation Army’s new National Commander, Commissioner David Jeffrey. Also included in the festivities was Pro Football Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith and career Cowboy Daryl Johnston.

Appropriately, there was even a ceremonial touchdown run.

For information about becoming a member, volunteer, or to donate, please visit: http://www.salvationarmyyet.org/p/About/205